Drew Bledsoe pushes for changes in Mass. Wine Shipment Law

CBSBoston.com reports that former Patriots quarterback and Washington State vineyard owner Drew Bledsoe was in Boston late last month to lobby the Massachusetts Legislature to allow out of state wineries to ship wine directly to Massachusetts consumers.

Current Mass. Law only allows in-state winemakers to make such shipments. This law was ruled unconstitutional three years ago by a federal judge and Massachusetts is one of just 11 states that have not changed its laws to reflect the new legality. Of those eleven states, Massachusetts has the highest consumption of wine. Bledsoe also cited that such shipments can be a big deal for small wineries.

“Ultimately, you’re talking about one-percent of wine in the United States is direct-shipped. You’re also only talking about wine, you’re not talking beer, spirits,” Bledsoe told WBZ NewsRadio 1030’s Carl Stevens.

Opponents of the bill to allow direct shipment from out of state wineries in Massachusetts argue that direct shipments will hurt sales at local liquor/package stores and also make it easier for those underage to obtain alcohol. They also argue that the need is not truly there for consumers to obtain wine from out of state.